U–Pb geochronology and Lu–Hf isotopes of zircons from newly identified Permian–Early Triassic plutons in western Liaoning province along the northern margin of the North China Craton: constraints on petrogenesis and tectonic setting

Mafic to felsic gneisses along the northern margin of the North China Craton (NMNCC), in western Liaoning province, China, were previously assumed to be part of Archean metamorphic basement but are here identified as younger (Permian–Early Triassic) intrusions. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb isotopic dating reveals that the magmatic precursors of the mafic gneisses were emplaced from 295 ± 3 to 259 ± 2 Ma and that the magmatic precursors of the dioritic and monzogranitic gneisses were emplaced at 267 ± 1 and 251 ± 2 Ma, respectively, thus recording a continuum of Permian to Early Triassic magmatism. The mafic and dioritic rocks exhibit zircon ε_Hf(t) values from ?20.7 to ?3.3, suggesting they were mainly derived from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle source, possibly involving some crustal contamination. The monzogranitic rocks display their zircon ε_Hf(t) values of +0.9 to +4.7, indicating the acidic magma was derived from partial melting of juvenile crustal materials from the depleted mantle source. Crustal model ages (T _DM ^C ) obtained from zircon Hf isotopes of these monzogranitic rocks range from 976 to 1,215 Ma, with an average of 1,074 ± 32 Ma, possibly implying an episode of Grenvillian crustal growth in western Liaoning province. These new lines of evidence show that the NMNCC witnessed abundant magmatic activity and interaction of the crust and mantle during the Permian and Early Triassic and that the mafic magmatism was earlier than the monzogranitic activity. These findings indicate that the monzogranitic activity was the result of underplating of mafic magma with an enriched mantle source. In the context of regional Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic magmatic activity, the Permian magmatism occurred in an Andean-style continental margin setting when the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate was subducted beneath the NMNCC, and in this context, the Late Permian to Early Triassic magmatism may have been linked to post-collisional extension and asthenospheric upwelling, suggesting that the western Liaoning province in the NMNCC may be an eastward extension of the Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic active continental margin.     

Petrogenesis and zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of newly discovered Mesoarchean gneisses on the northern margin of the North China Craton

Geological mapping and zircon U–Pb laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) dating has identified a Mesoarchean (2857 ± 17 Ma) geological unit in the Luanjiajie area of the northern margin of the North China Craton, within the northern part of Liaoning Province, China. This unit is dominated by tonalitic and trondhjemite gneisses that form part of a typical tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) rock assemblage. These Mesoarchean gneisses are enriched in Na and depleted in K, yield K₂O/Na₂O ratios of 0.34–0.50, have Rittmann index (σ) values of 1.54–3.04, and are calc-alkaline. They have Eu_N/Eu_N* values of 0.77–1.20 (average of 1.03), indicating that these samples have negligible Eu anomalies, and yield high La_N/Yb_N values (4.92–23.12). These characteristics indicate that these Mesoarchean gneisses have fractionated rare earth element (REE) compositions that are enriched in the light REE (LREE) and depleted in the heavy REE (HREE), with steeply dipping chondrite-normalized REE patterns. These gneisses are also enriched in Rb, Th, K, Zr, and Hf, and are relatively depleted in Ta, Nb, P, and Ti. In summary, the magma that formed these tonalitic and trondhjemite gneisses was most likely derived from the partial melting of lower-crustal basaltic rocks during subduction. The timing of formation (2.85 Ga) of the Luanjiajie tonalite and trondhjemite gneisses probably represents the timing of initiation of plate tectonics within the LongGang Block during a SE-directed subduction event. The presence of inherited zircons with ages of >3.0 Ga within the Luanjiajie gneisses suggests that this area may contain as yet undiscovered rocks that formed before 3.0 Ga.     

The Jiguanshan porphyry Mo deposit in the Xilamulun metallogenic belt,northern margin of the North China Craton,U–Pb geochronology,isotope systematics,geochemistry and fluid inclusion studies: Implications for a genetic model

The Jiguanshan porphyry Mo deposit is located in the southern part of Xilamulun metallogenic belt at the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). In the Jiguanshan mining district, two stages of granitoids intrusions have been recognized: a pre-ore granite porphyry with stockworks and veins of Mo mineralization, and a granite porphyry with disseminated Mo mineralization. Zircon U–Pb data and Hf isotope analyses show that the dissemination-mineralized granite porphyry yielded a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 156.0 ± 1.3 Ma, with a crustal ε_Hf(t) values from − 5.6 to + 0.2, and that the main group of magmatic zircons from the pre-ore granite porphyry have a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 167.7 ± 1.7 Ma with ε_Hf(t) values from − 3.2 to + 1.0. Combined with groundmass Ar–Ar age data of the granite porphyry and molybdenite Re–Os age, it is suggested that the Mo mineralization of Jiguanshan deposit was formed in the late Jurassic (153 ~ 155 Ma) during tectonic and magmatic events that affected northeast China. The Mo mineralization was a little bit later than the host granite porphyry. Besides disseminated in the host granite porphyry, Mo mineralization also presents in middle Jurassic pre-ore granite porphyry, Jurassic fine-grained diabase, Triassic quartz porphyry, and in rhyolitic volcanic rocks as well as syenite of Devonian age.The Jiguanshan mining district was affected by the tectonic events associated with the Paleo-Asian Ocean closure, and later by far-field tectonism, related to subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate (Izanagi) in the Jurassic-Cretaceous. The tectonic and thermal events linked with the latter are commonly referred to as Yanshanian tectono-thermal event, and consists of a series of geodynamic, magmatic and ore-forming processes, which in the mining district area included the intrusion of the pre-ore granite porphyry, the host granite porphyry, Mo mineralization, and fine-grained diabase. Major and trace element analyses show that the host granite porphyry is characterized by high silica abundances (SiO₂ = 77.16 to 77.51%), high Rb/Sr ratios (13.57 to 14.83), high oxidation (Fe₂O₃/FeO = 34.25 to 62.00) and high alkalies (Na₂O + K₂O = 8.21 to 8.38%). Petrographic and microthermometry studies of the fluid inclusions from Mo mineralized veins, characterized by plenty of daughter mineral-bearing inclusions, showed that the predominant homogenization temperatures range from 250 to 440 °C. Combined with Laser Raman analysis of the fluid inclusions, it is indicated that Mo mineralization is related to a high-temperature, hypersaline and high-oxygen fugacity H₂O–NaCl fluid system, with high F contents.Based on geology, geochronology, isotope systematics, geochemistry and fluid inclusion studies as well as regional geology, we propose, for the first time, a genetic model for the Jiguanshan porphyry Mo deposit. During the Jurassic geodynamic evolution of northeast China, high silicic, high oxidized and alkaline-rich granitic magma probably derived from partial melting of the lower crust, episodically intruded along faults into the country rocks. This fluid system, fractionating from the highly differentiated granitic magma and bearing Mo with minor Cu metals, migrated upwards and interacted with the older wall rocks and associated fractures, in which the ore minerals precipitated, resulting in the development of what we refer to as the “Jiguanshan-type” porphyry Mo deposit.     

U–Pb and Re–Os geochronology and geochemistry of the Donggebi Mo deposit,Eastern Tianshan,NW China: Insights into mineralization and tectonic setting

The Donggebi Mo deposit located in NW China is a newly discovered, large, stockwork-type Mo deposit with ore reserves of 441 Mt @ 0.115% Mo. Ore bodies occur along faults and fractures at the external contact zone of a concealed porphyritic granite and volcaniclastic rocks of Gandun Formation, spatially associated with a fine-grained granite. Mo-bearing veins are mainly assemblages of volatile-rich K-feldspar-quartz-oxide, K-feldspar-quartz, polymetallic sulfides and calcite-quartz. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating yielded concordant ages of 234.6 ± 2.7 Ma and 231.8 ± 2.4 Ma for the porphyritic granite and the fine-grained granite, respectively; molybdenite Re–Os dating gave an isochron age of 234.0 ± 2.0 Ma. These ages further confirm an important and extensive magmatic-metallogenic event in Eastern Tianshan during the Triassic Indosinian orogeny. Whole-rock major and trace element analyses indicate that the granitic rocks associated with Mo mineralization are high in Si, K, Rb, Th, Nb, Ta, Ga and LREE, but low in P, Ti, Sr and Ba, belonging to high-K calc-alkaline granites with A-type features. Magma was likely derived from the re-melting of thickened lower crust in a post-collision compression environment in the Late Permian, experienced strong crystal fractionation and formed the large Donggebi Mo deposit under an intra-plate extension setting in the Early to Middle Triassic.     

Zircon U–Pb geochronology,whole-rock geochemical,and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic constraints on the timing and origin of Permian and Triassic mafic dykes from eastern North China Craton

Acta Geochimica - This work reports an important episode of extensional, mafic magmatism that impacted the North China Craton (NCC) during the Permo-Triassic and influenced the evolution of this...     

Re–Os and U–Pb geochronology of porphyry Mo deposits in central Jilin Province: Mo ore-forming stages in northeast China

Central Jilin Province lies along the eastern edge of the Xing–Meng orogenic belt of northeast China. At least 10 Mo deposits have been discovered in this area, making it the second-richest concentration of Mo resources in China. To better understand the formation and distribution of porphyry Mo deposits in the area, we investigated the geological characteristics of the deposits and applied zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os isotope dating to constrain the age of mineralization. Our new geochronological data show the following: the Jidetun Mo deposit yields molybdenite Re–Os model ages of 164.6–167.1 Ma, an isochron age of 168 ± 2.5 Ma, and a weighted mean model age of 165.9 ± 1.2 Ma; the Houdaomu Mo deposit yields molybdenite Re–Os model ages of 167.4–167.7 Ma, an isochron age of 168 ± 13 Ma, and a weighted mean model age of 167.5 ± 1.2 Ma; and the Chang’anpu Mo deposit yields a zircon U–Pb age for granodiorite porphyry of 166.9 ± 1.5 Ma (N = 16). These new age data, combined with existing molybdenite Re–Os dates, show that intense porphyry Mo mineralization was coeval with magmatism during the Middle Jurassic (167.8 ± 0.4 Ma, r > 0.999). The geotectonic mechanisms responsible for Mo mineralization were probably related to subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate beneath the Eurasian continent. Combining published molybdenite Re–Os and zircon U–Pb ages for northeast China, the Mo deposits are shown to have been formed during multiple events coinciding with periods of magmatic activity. We identified three phases of mineralization, two of which had several stages: the Caledonian (485–480 Ma); the Indosinian comprising the Early–Middle Triassic (248–236 Ma) and Late Triassic (226–208 Ma) stages; and the Yanshanian phase comprising the Early–Middle Jurassic (202–165 Ma), Late Jurassic–early Early Cretaceous (154–129 Ma), and Early Cretaceous (114–111 Ma) stages. Although Mo deposits formed during each phase/stage, most of the mineralization occurred during the Early–Middle Jurassic.     

U–Pb zircon,Re–Os molybdenite geochronology and Rb–Sr geochemistry from the Xiaobaishitou W (–Mo) deposit: Implications for Triassic tectonic setting in eastern Tianshan,NW China

The Xiaobaishitou W (–Mo) deposit is located in the eastern segment of the Central Tianshan, northwestern China. The deposit represents a skarn system distributed in the contact zones of biotite granite and crystalline limestone of the Mesoproterozoic Kawabulag Group. The Xiaobaishitou deposit is characterized by a typical calc-silicate mineralogy dominated by garnet, diopside and wollastonite, with minor epidote, tremolite, actinolite, chlorite, quartz, fluorite and calcite. The prograde and retrograde skarns are characterized by garnet–clinopyroxene–wollastonite and epidote–tremolite–actinolite–chlorite, respectively, intruded and replaced by mineral assemblages of scheelite–cassiterite–magnetite, quartz–sulfides and calcite–quartz–fluorite in younger order.Six molybdenite samples from the deposit yielded Re − Os isotope model ages ranging from 239.7 ± 3.6 Ma to 251.4 ± 3.6 Ma. The zircon crystals from biotite granite and Mo-mineralized granite yield weighted ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 242 ± 1.7 and 240.5 ± 2.1 Ma, respectively. Both the zircon U − Pb and the molybdenite Re − Os ages obtained in this study fall in a narrow span of 242–240 Ma, which suggest that the Xiaobaishitou W (–Mo) system was formed in the Triassic. The Re contents of the molybdenites range from 40.33 to 64.67 ppm, suggesting that the ore-forming materials were derived mainly from continental crust together with the involvement of minor mantle components. Combined with the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of tungsten-bearing quartz veins from other studies, which scatter between 0.707153 and 0.709877, demonstrating mixing between two end-member isotopic compositions of crust and mantle. It can be concluded that the Indosinian Xiaobaishitou deposit was formed in a tectonic transition from collisional crust shortening and thickening to post-collisional extension and thinning.     

Origin of two contrasting latest Permian–Triassic volcanic rock suites in the northern North China Craton: implications for early Mesozoic lithosphere thinning

New geological, geochronological, and geochemical results on volcanic rocks and cobbles from early Mesozoic sedimentary rocks identify two contrasting latest Permian–Triassic volcanic rock suites in the northern North China Craton (NCC). The early rock suite erupted during the latest Permian–Early Triassic at ca. 255–245 Ma and was probably widely distributed in the northern NCC prior to the Early Jurassic. It comprises rhyolitic welded tuff, rhyolite, and tuffaceous sandstone and is characterized by high contents of SiO₂ and K₂O, moderate initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, low negative ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values, and old Nd-Hf isotopic model ages. It was likely produced by fractional crystallization of lower crustal-derived magmas due to underplating by lithospheric mantle-derived magmas near the crust–mantle boundary in syncollisional to post-collisional/post-orogenic tectonic settings. The late rock suite, erupted during the Middle–Late Triassic at ca. 238–228 Ma, displays adakitic geochemical signatures and consists of intermediate volcanic rocks such as andesite, trachyandesite, and autoclastic trachyandesite breccia, with minor felsic rocks. This suite is characterized by high Al₂O₃, MgO, Sr, Ba, Cr, V, and Ni concentrations; high Mg# values; low Y and Yb concentrations and high Sr/Y ratios; low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr; high negative ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values; and young Nd-Hf isotopic model ages. The younger suite was generated by mixing of magmas derived from melting of upwelling asthenosphere, with melts of ancient lower crust induced by underplating of basaltic magmas in an intraplate extensional setting. Strong upwelling of asthenospheric mantle and significant involvement of the asthenospheric mantle materials indicate that the lithospheric mantle beneath the northern NCC was partially delaminated during Middle–Late Triassic time, representing the initial destruction and lithospheric thinning of the northern NCC. Lithospheric thinning and delamination are likely the most important reasons for the Triassic tectonic transition and change of magmatism and deformation patterns in the northern NCC.     

Detrital zircon provenance of early Palaeozoic sediments at the southwestern margin of the Siberian Craton: Insights from U–Pb geochronology

Detrital zircons from the Ordovician and Devonian sedimentary cover of the Siberian Craton were analyzed for U/Pb geochronology to understand their sediment provenances. Five main age-peaks were identified in the zircon U/Pb age-spectra: (1) Neoarchaean – early Palaeoproterozoic (2.7–2.4 Ga); (2) late Palaeoproterozoic (2.0–1.65 Ga); (3) minor early Neoproterozoic (1.0–0.75 Ga); (4) Ediacaran (0.65–0.60 Ga) and (5) Cambrian – Early Ordovician (0.54–0.47 Ga), reflecting the main magmatic events in the sediment source regions. The oldest zircons (groups 1 and 2) are derived from the Siberian Craton which amalgamated during the Neoarchean – Palaeoproterozoic. The Neoproterozoic zircons (groups 3 and 4) likely sourced from southwestern basement uplifts and Neoproterozoic belts of the Siberian margin such as the Yenisey Ridge and Baikal-Muya region. The provenance of the youngest zircons (group 5) can be traced to the Altai–Sayan fold-belt, where peri-Gondwanan microcontinents and island-arcs accreted to Siberia during late Neoproterozoic – early Palaeozoic progressive consumption of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean.     

Geochemical,Sr–Nd–Pb isotope,and zircon U–Pb geochronological constraints on the origin of Early Permian mafic dikes,northern North China Craton

Dolerite dike swarms are widespread across the North China Craton (NCC) of Hebei Province (China) and Inner Mongolia. Here, we report new geochemical, Sr–Nd–Pb isotope, and U–Pb zircon ages for representative samples of these dikes. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb analysis yielded consistent Permian ages of 274.8 ± 2.9 and 275.0 ± 4.5 Ma for zircons extracted from two dikes. The dolerites have highly variable compositions (SiO₂ = 46.99–56.18 wt.%, TiO₂ = 1.27–2.39 wt.%, Al₂O₃ = 14.42–16.20 wt.%, MgO = 5.18–7.75 wt.%, Fe₂O₃ = 8.03–13.52 wt.%, CaO = 5.18–9.75 wt.%, Na₂O = 2.46–3.79 wt.%, K₂O = 0.26–2.35 wt.%, and P₂O₅ = 0.18–0.37 wt.%) and are light rare earth element (LREE) and large ion lithophile element (LILE, e.g. Rb, Ba, and K, and Pb in sample SXG1-9) enriched, and Th and high field strength element (HFSE, e.g. Nb and Ta in sample SXG1-9, and Ti) depleted. The mafic dikes have relatively uniform (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i values from 0.7031 to 0.7048, (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i from 17.77 to 17.976, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i from 15.50 to 15.52, (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i from 37.95 to 38.03, and positive ?_Nd(t) (3.6–7.3), and variable neodymium model ages (T_DM1 = 0.75–0.99 Ga, T_DM2 = 0.34–0.74 Ga). These data suggest that the dike magmas were derived from partial melting of a depleted region of the asthenospheric mantle, and that they fractionated olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, K-feldspar, and Ti-bearing phases without undergoing significant crustal contamination. These mafic dikes within the NCC formed during a period of crustal thinning in response to extension after Permian collision between the NCC and the Siberian Block.     

Late Palaeoproterozoic post-collisional magmatism in the North China Craton: geochemistry,zircon U–Pb geochronology,and Hf isotope of the pyroxenite–gabbro–diorite suite from Xinghe,Inner Mongolia

The North China Craton (NCC) witnessed a prolonged subduction–accretion history from the early to late Palaeoproterozoic, culminating with final collision at ca. 1.85 Ga and assembling the continental blocks into the cratonic framework. Subsequently, widespread post-collisional magmatism occurred, particularly along the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) that sutures the Eastern and Western blocks of the NCC. Here we present petrological, geochemical, and zircon U–Pb geochronological and Lu–Hf data from a pyroxenite (websterite)–gabbro–diorite suite at Xinghe in Inner Mongolia along the northern segment of the TNCO. The internal structures and high Th/U values of the zircons from the gabbro–diorite suite suggest magmatic crystallization. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb age data on three gabbros and one diorite from the suite yield emplacement ages of 1786.1 ± 4.8, 1783 ± 15 ,1754 ± 16 and 1767 ± 13 Ma, respectively. The ε_Hf(t) shows mostly positive values (up to 5.8), with the lowest value at –4.2, suggesting that the magma was derived from dominantly juvenile sources. The generally low SiO₂ and high MgO values, and other trace element features of the Xinghe suite are consistent with fractionation from a mantle-derived magma with a broadly E-MORB affinity, with no significant crustal contamination. Recent studies clearly establish that the major magmatic pulse associated with rifting of the NCC within the Columbia supercontinent occurred in the late Mesoproterozoic at ca. 1.3–1.2 Ga associated with mantle plume activity. This, together with the lack of robust geochemical imprints of rift-related magmatism in the Xinghe suite, prompts us to suggest a tectonic model that envisages magma genesis associated with post-collisional extension during slab break-off, following the westward subduction of the Eastern Block and its collision with the Western Block. The resulting asthenospheric upwelling and heat input might have triggered the magma generation from a heterogeneous, subduction-modified sub-lithospheric mantle source for the Xinghe rocks, as well as for similar late Palaeoproterozoic suites in the TNCO.     

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages of Middle–Late Permian sedimentary rocks from the southwestern margin of the North China Craton: Implications for provenance and tectonic evolution

The southwestern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) is located between the Alxa Terrane to the northwest, the North Qilian Orogen to the west and the North Qinling Orogen to the south. However, the paleogeographic and tectonic evolution for the southwestern part of the NCC in the Late Paleozoic is still poorly constrained. In order to constrain the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the southwestern NCC, we carried out detailed field work and detrital zircon U-Pb geochronological research on Middle–Late Permian sedimentary rocks at the southwestern margin of the NCC. The U-Pb age spectra of detrital zircons from six samples are similar, showing four populations of 2.6–2.4 Ga, 2.0–1.7 Ga, 500–360 Ma and 350–250 Ma. Moreover, on the basis of the weighted-mean age of the youngest detrital zircons (257 ± 4 Ma), combined with the published results and volcanic interlayers, we propose that the Shangshihezi Formation formed during the Middle–Late Permian. Our results and published data indicate that the detrital zircons with age groups of 2.6–2.4 Ga and 2.0–1.7 Ga were likely derived from the Khondalite Belt and Yinshan Block in the northwestern NCC. The junction part between the North Qinling and North Qilian Orogen may provide the 500–360 Ma detrital zircons for the study area. The 350–250 Ma detrital zircons were probably derived from the northwestern part of the NCC. The majority of materials from Shangshihezi Formation within the study area were derived from the northwestern part of the NCC, indicating that the northwestern part of the NCC was strongly uplifted possibly resulting from the progressive subduction and closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. A small amount of materials were sourced from southwestern part of the NCC, indicating that the North Qinling Orogen experienced a minor uplift resulting from the northward subduction of the South Qinling terrane.     

Molybdenite Re–Os and U–Pb zircon dating and genesis of the Dayana W-Mo deposit in eastern Ujumchin,Inner Mongolia

The Dayana W-Mo deposit in eastern Ujumchin of Inner Mongolia is a quartz-vein type deposit in the mid-western part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Biotite monzogranite, quartz porphyry and hornfels host W-Mo in quartz veins. Based on spatial relationships, molybdenite was deposited first followed by wolframite. This contribution presents precise laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb zircon dating and geochemical analysis of the biotite monzogranite. The U–Pb dating shows that the monzogranite is 134 ± 1 Ma. Major and trace element geochemistry shows that the monzogranite is characterized by high SiO₂ and K₂O contents, a “Right-inclined” shape of the chondrite normalized REE patterns, enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILEs), and depletion of high field strength elements (HFSEs) such as Nb, P, Ba. The monzogranite is high-K calc-alkaline, has a strong negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.04–0.45), low P₂O₅ content, high A/CNK of > 1.2, enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs; such as Rb, Th, U, Nd, and Hf), and notably depleted in Ba, Sr, P, Ti, and Nb. These characteristics define the Dayana monzogranite as a highly fractionated peraluminous granite. Re–Os isotopic analysis of seven molybdenite samples from the deposit yield an isochron age of 133 ± 3 Ma (MSWD = 2.2), which indicates that the monzogranite and ore have the same age within error, are probably genetically related, and related to a major Early Cretaceous mineralizing event in China known as the Yanshanian.     

Mineralization,alteration, structure,and Re–Os age of the Lanjiagou porphyry Mo deposit,North China Craton

Lanjiagou is a porphyry Mo deposit in terms of its alteration zonation and mineralization associated with granitic intrusions and predominance of quartz vein-hosted molybdenum mineralization. It is the largest Mo deposit in North China Craton (404,000 t). There is an intimate spatial/temporal association between all stages of mineralization and Early Jurassic granitic intrusions at Lanjiagou. Most of the molybdenum was emplaced during the principal hydrothermal (PH) stage (184.6 ± 1.3 – 185.6 ± 1.4 Ma), contemporaneously with intrusion of fine-grained porphyritic granite (188.9 ± 1.2 Ma) into a granite batholith (193 ± 3 Ma). The PH mineralization stage is mainly hosted by a quartz-dominated stockwork associated with phyllic alteration in the fine-grained porphyritic granite. This stage was followed by the late hydrothermal (LH) activity. Thick Mo-rich quartz veins were emplaced during the LH stage and cut the porphyry ore bodies. A ring breccia zone formed during the last hydrothermal stage and apparently cuts both the porphyry and the quartz vein ore bodies. The main hydrothermal vein stages have predominantly concentric and radial vein orientations centred on the ring breccia zone. Most of the concentric veins have shallow dips, whereas the radial veins are subvertical. The LH veins have predominantly NEE and NW orientations in the deposit and are moderately inclined. We surmise that the veining was controlled by the local stress regime generated by the intrusion of a large, deep pluton that we interpreted to be the source of the granites, the breccia zone, and the molybdenum mineralization. Resurgence within the magma chamber reactivated the steep concentric structures in a reverse sense, and accumulation of magmatic and/or fluid pressure resulted in explosive brecciation, producing the ring breccia zone. A predominantly late set of NW-trending, post-ore felsic dikes, associated with the regional structures, are a consequence of far-field stresses exceeding local stresses in the deposit.     

Re–Os pyrite and U–Pb zircon geochronology from the Taldybulak Levoberezhny gold deposit: Insight for Cambrian metallogeny of the Kyrgyz northern Tien Shan

The Taldybulak Levoberezhny gold deposit, located in the eastern part of the Kyrgyz Northern Tien Shan, is hosted in highly deformed Precambrian schist and gneisses that have undergone intense quartz, carbonate, fuchsite and tourmaline alterations. Gold mineralization is ultimately subdivided into two stages based on the observation of alteration assemblages, orebody geometries, and the occurrences of Au-bearing minerals. Negative thermal ionization mass spectrometry Re–Os isotopic analyses of five Au-rich pyrite samples from the early stage yielded an isochron age of 511 ± 18 Ma. Zircon sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe U–Pb dating of a diorite dike sample postdating the late stage mineralization yielded a wide range of ages from 3055 to 291 Ma, while a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 414.6 ± 6.8 Ma is believed to represent the age of dike intrusion and the upper limit on the timing of the late stage quartz–tourmaline–gold formation. The pyrite ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os_(initial) ratio of 0.132 ± 0.011, together with γ_Os values varying from 0 to + 14, indicate a major mantle component for the source of Os and by inference ore metals, which may be linked to the ophiolite suite of the Kopurelisai Complex in the Taldybulak Levoberezhny area. Considering the geodynamic setting of the Kyrgyz Northern Tien Shan during the early Paleozoic, we suggest that Cambrian mineralization of the Taldybulak Levoberezhny deposit can be attributed to a subduction-related setting, probably associated with the earliest accretion of the Northern Tien Shan.     

Re–Os isotope evidence from Mesozoic and Cenozoic basalts for secular evolution of the mantle beneath the North China Craton

The mechanism and process of lithospheric thinning beneath the North China Craton (NCC) are still debated. A key criterion in distinguishing among the proposed mechanisms is whether associated continental basalts were derived from the thinning lithospheric mantle or upwelling asthenosphere. Herein, we investigate the possible mechanisms of lithospheric thinning based on a systematic Re–Os isotopic study of Mesozoic to Cenozoic basalts from the NCC. Our whole-rock Re–Os isotopic results indicate that the Mesozoic basalts generally have high Re and Os concentrations that vary widely from 97.2 to 839.4 ppt and 74.4 to 519.6 ppt, respectively. They have high initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios ranging from 0.1513 to 0.3805, with corresponding variable γ_Os(t) values (+20 to +202). In contrast, the Re–Os concentrations and radiogenic Os isotope compositions of the Cenozoic basalts are typically lower than those of the Mesozoic basalts. The lowest initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios of the Cenozoic basalts are 0.1465 and 0.1479, with corresponding γ_Os(t) values of +15 and +16, which are within the range of ocean island basalts. These new Re–Os isotopic results, combined with the findings of previous studies, indicate that the Mesozoic basalts were a hybrid product of the melting of pyroxenite and peridotite in ancient lithospheric mantle beneath the NCC. The Cenozoic basalts were derived mainly from upwelling asthenosphere mixed with small amounts of lithospheric materials. The marked differences in geochemistry between the Mesozoic and Cenozoic basalts suggest a greatly reduced involvement of lithospheric mantle as the magma source from the Mesozoic to the Cenozoic. The subsequent lithospheric thinning of the NCC and replacement by upwelling asthenospheric mantle resulted in a change to asthenosphere-derived Cenozoic basalts.     

Evolution of the eastern segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton in the Triassic: Evidence from the geochronology and geochemistry of magmatic rocks in Kaiyuan area,North LiaoningSCIEI北大核心CSCD

To constrain the evolution of the eastern segment of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO), petrography, geochemistry and zircon U-Pb dating analyses were conducted over the gabbro and rhyolite in the Kaiyuan area, North Liaoning, in the eastern segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). Zircon dating results indicate that the gabbros and rhyolite were formed in the Trassic (246 +/- 2Ma, 241 +/- 2Ma, 226 +/- 3Ma and 241 +/- 2Ma). The three gabbros of Triassic have similar geochemical characteristics, originated from the mantle, and were contaminated by crust materials in the process of ascending and emplacement. The Early Triassic gabbro (246Ma) originated from the enriched mantle source metasomatized by fluid. It was formed by 1% partial melting of garnet spinel lherzolite in the extensional environment caused by breaking off slab. The Middle Triassic gabbro (241Ma) was derived from a transitional mantle metasomatized by fluid and melt, and was formed by 1% to 2% partial melting of garnet spinel peridotite. The Late Triassic gabbro (226Ma) was derived from a transitional mantle metasomatized by fluid and melt, and was formed by 3% similar to 4% partial melting of garnet spinel lherzolite in the post-orogenic extensional environment. The Middle Triassic rhyolite (241Ma) has the characteristic of post collisional I-type granite, that enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, depleted in high field strength elements, and negative Nb, Ti, P and Sr anomaly. The low content of Sr and Yb suggested a 30 similar to 40km depth source. The Middle Trassic "bimodal" igneous rocks implied an extensional environment caused by the remainder oceanic crust breaked away at the bottom of the crust. Based on the lithologic association, regional strata information and the chronological data in this paper and published by predecessors, the Triassic magmatism in the eastern segment of the northern margin of the NCC can be divided into five stages: 252 similar to 246Ma, 246 similar to 242Ma, 242 similar to 240Ma, 240 similar to 230Ma and 230 similar to 215Ma. These five magmatic events were the results of the southward subduction and extinction of the PAO: (1) The transformation from active continental margin to syn-collisional setting resulted in the final closure of the PAO (252 similar to 246 Ma); (2) Continuous pushing resulted in orogenic uplift (246 similar to 242Ma); (3) Extension caused by the detachment of the remainder subduction oceanic crust at the bottom of the crust (242 similar to 240Ma); (4) Rapid uplift and crustal thickening (240 similar to 230Ma); (5) Extension of post-orogenic(230 similar to 215Ma).     

Re–Os and U–Pb geochronology of the Duobaoshan porphyry Cu–Mo–(Au) deposit,northeast China,and its geological significance

The large-scale Duobaoshan porphyry Cu–Mo–(Au) deposit is located at the north segment of the Da Hinggan Mountains, northeast China. Six molybdenite samples from the Duobaoshan deposit were selected for Re–Os isotope measurement to define the mineralization age of the deposit, yieldings a Re–Os isochron age of 475.9 ± 7.9 Ma (2σ), which is accordant with the Re–Os model ages of 476.6 ± 6.9–480.2 ± 6.9 Ma. This age is consistent with the age of the related granodiorite porphyry, which was dated as 477.2 ± 4 Ma by zircon U–Pb analysis using LA-ICP-MS. These ages disagree with the previous K–Ar age determinations that suggest a correlation of intrusive rocks of the Duobaoshan area with the Hercynian intrusive rocks of Carboniferous–Permian age. These ages demonstrate that the Duobaoshan granodiorite porphyry and related Cu–Mo deposit occurred in the Early Ordovician. The rhenium content of molybdenite varies from 290.9 to 728.2 μg/g, with an average content of 634.8 μg/g. The high rhenium content in molybdenite of the Duobaoshan deposit suggests that the ore-forming materials may be mainly of mantle source.     

Isotopic (C–O–S) geochemistry and Re–Os geochronology of the Haobugao Zn–Fe deposit in Inner Mongolia,NE China

The Haobugao Zn–Fe deposit is a typical skarn deposit located in the southern part of the Great Xing’an Range that hosts polymetallic mineralization over a large region. The main ore minerals at the deposit include sphalerite, magnetite, galena, chalcopyrite and pyrite, and the main gangue minerals include andradite, grossular garnet, hedenbergite, diopside, ilvaite, calcite and quartz. There are broadly two mineralizing periods represented by the relatively older skarn and younger quartz–sulfide veins. In detail, there are five metallogenic stages consisting of an early skarn, late skarn, oxide, early quartz–sulfide, and late quartz–sulfide–calcite stages. Electron microprobe analyses show that the garnet at the deposit varies in composition from And_97.95Gro_0.41Pyr_1.64 to And_30.69Gro_66.69Pyr_2.63, and pyroxene is compositionally in the diopside–hedenbergite range (i.e. Di_90.63Hd_8.00Jo_1.37–Hd_88.98Di_4.53Jo_6.49). Petrographic observations and electron microprobe analyses indicate that the sphalerite has three generations ([Zn_0.93Fe_0.08]S–[Zn_0.75Fe_0.24]S). The Zn associated with the first generation sphalerite replaced Cu and Fe of early xenomorphic granular chalcopyrite (i.e. [Cu_1.01Fe_1.03]S₂–[Cu_0.99Fe_0.99]S₂), and part of the first generation sphalerite is coeval with late chalcopyrite (i.e. [Cu_0.96Fe_0.99Zn_0.03]S₂–[Cu_1.00Fe_1.03Zn_0.01]S₂). Magnetite has a noticeable negative Ce anomaly (δCe = ∼0.17 to 0.54), which might be a result of the oxidized ore-fluid. Thirty δ³⁴S_V-PDB analyses of sulfides from the ore range from −2.3 to −0.1‰ in value, which are indicative of a magmatic source. The δ¹³C‰ and δ¹⁸O‰ values for calcite from the ore formed at quartz–sulfide–calcite stage vary from −9.9 to −5.5‰ and from −4.2 to 1.1‰, respectively, contrasting with δ¹³C‰ (2.9–4.8‰) and δ¹⁸O‰ (9.8–13.9‰) values for calcite from marble. It is suggested that the ore-forming fluid associated with late stage of mineralization was predominantly magmatic in origin with some input of local meteoric water.Molybdenite from the Haobugao deposit defines an isochron age of 142 ± 1 Ma, which is interpreted as the mineralization age being synchronous, within error, with the zircon U–Pb ages of 140 ± 1, 141 ± 2, and 141 ± 1 Ma for granite at the deposit. These data and characteristics of lithology and mineralization further show that the Zn–Fe mineralization is temporally and spatially related to the emplacement of granite in an extensional tectonic setting during the Mesozoic.